Meet the Board

The Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative (MLMC) was established in 2013, replacing the Maine Lobster Promotion Council. The Collaborative is funded by Maine lobster harvesters, dealers and processors to provide for the effective marketing and promotion of Maine lobster.

Upcoming MLMC Board Meetings

Dates

February 9, 2016
June 7, 2016
September 13, 2016
December 6, 2016

Location

Cyrus Sleeper | Fisherman Zone D

South Thomaston

Cyrus was born in South Thomaston where he has been lobstering since the age of 9 with his father. At age 10 he bought his first lobster boat and hauled his 50 traps by hand for a few years before upgrading to a bigger boat with a hydraulic hauler. Today, Cyrus has grown his business to a 42 foot boat and 800 traps. He became interested in lobster marketing during a program organized by the Maine Lobsterman Association to promote young leaders in the lobster industry, where they traveled to Prince Edward Island to learn about Canadian lobstering.

Karan Cushman | Public Member

Karan is a 20-year branding and marketing veteran who is committed to helping organizations build stronger brands. She is president of Cushman Creative, a cross-media branding company specializing in the life sciences. Karan serves as an industry leader and speaker. She is a founding board member of AIGA Maine, the national association for design, and is also the author of Kelp-Beds, a blog that helps demystify the science of marketing biotech brands. As a member of a fifth-generation Maine fishing family, Karan understands the vital role that the state’s natural resources play in our economy, our coastal communities, and our quality of life.

Frank Gotwals | Fisherman Zone C

Stonington

Frank has been a commercial fisherman since 1974. After getting his start with clams and scallops, he ended up fishing for lobster year round. He served on the board of the Stonington Lobster Co-op for 32 years – 20 years as board president. He also served on the Zone C Council and has been involved in whale regulations over the past several years. In his spare time, Frank is a musician and songwriter.

Luke Holden | Dealer / Processor

Saco | Luke's Lobster & Cape Seafood

Luke was born and raised in Cape Elizabeth in a fishing family, spending his summers lobstering in a hand-made skiff. He went to Georgetown to study finance and management then on to a job as an investment banker in New York City. Wanting to pair his passion for Maine with his business savvy, in 2009 he founded Luke’s Lobster and started bringing quality, sustainable Maine seafood to New York. The business has expanded to include 11 locations and employ 125 people. In 2013, Luke and three partners opened Cape Seafood to process high quality lobster, crab and shrimp for Luke’s Lobster restaurants.

Sonny Beal | Fisherman Zone A

Beals Island

Sonny makes his home on Beals Island, Maine with his wife and two boys. Lobstering for Sonny began when he was 12 years old on a small outboard. Sonny has also spent time on the water working a gill netter, dragging for scallops and quahogs, he has even done some seining as well. Sonny earned an Associates Degree from Eastern Maine Technical College, which he used at an electronics firm in Gloucester, MA for a short time before returning to lobstering. Sonny now works from his 40’ Young Brothers. Additionally, Sonny serves as the Vice Chairman of the Beal-Jonesport Co-Op.

Hugh Reynolds | Dealer

Stonington

Hugh is owner of Greenhead Lobster, one of Maine’s largest purveyors of live, fresh lobster. Greenhead ships lobster worldwide from its dockside headquarters in Stonington, known for its rich and historic tradition of lobstering. Hugh is passionate about his work, the quality of his lobsters and above all, customer satisfaction. His strong work ethic and demand for uncompromised quality are reflected throughout his entire operation.

Paul Paradis | Fisherman

Bar Harbor

Paul is a Mount Desert Island native who received a BS in Business Administration from Babson College. After a 5-year stint in the Coast Guard, he returned to MDI to enter the family business, which he eventually purchased. Paul serves on the Bar Harbor Town Council, as the chairman of the Bar Harbor Cruise Ship Committee and as Treasurer of the Bar Harbor Yacht Club. In his free time he is a private pilot and enjoys boating, recreational fishing and bicycling.

George Gervais | Commissioner, Maine Economic & Community Development

Augusta

George Gervais has been the Commissioner of the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) since May 2011. In his capacity as leader, Gervais is charged with developing economic sectors, promoting new businesses, and growing existing businesses.

Patrick Keliher | Commissioner, Maine Dept. of Marine Resources

Augusta

Patrick Keliher has served as Commissioner of the Maine Department of Marine Resources since 2012, having previously served as Acting Commissioner since 2011. During his tenure at the Department Keliher has worked hard to reach out to the Department’s many and varied constituents to ensure an opportunity for broad input and feedback around Maine’s marine resources issues.

Annie’s ten-year career in Maine’s marine industry started on the stern of a ferryboat in Portland Harbor and has evolved to cover the harvester and the dealer sectors. Annie was hired in July 2014 as the first executive director of the Maine Lobster Dealers’ Association where represents and advocates for lobster dealers, processors and retailers in Maine. In July 2015, she was hired by Garbo Lobster to work in procurement and sales of live lobster. Previously Annie has worked for the Maine Lobstermen’s Association, Gulf of Maine Research Institute, Penobscot East Resource Center and the Island Institute. Annie graduated from Connecticut College and serves on the boards of the Maine Fishermen’s Forum and the Lobster Research Education and Development Fund.

Vaughn A. Stinson | Public Member

Hallowell

Vaughn recently retired as the Chief Executive Officer of the Maine Tourism Association, a position he has held since 1998. He was responsible for up to 60 full- and part-time employees, an annual budget of $2.2 million and the state’s eight visitor information centers. Vaughn’s involvement with the chambers of commerce and convention & visitors bureaus in Georgia, Maine, Florida, and Mississippi has provided him with a broad knowledge of travel and tourism, and their impact on economic and community development.